Listening In: Interview with Dr. Stephanie Yuhl
Professor Stephanie Yuhl, a respected academic in the History department of an unspecified university, has a diverse taste in music that spans across different genres and decades.
Her college years saw a mix of favourites, ranging from hip-hop legends Run DMC and LL Cool J, to pop icons like George Michael and Tracy Chapman. Fast forward to the present, and she enjoys modern-pop songs by artists such as Bruno Mars, Vance Joy, Lil Nas X, and Snoop Dogg.
However, when it comes to her current favourite artist, Professor Yuhl remains undecided, stating that country music is currently dominating her playlists. Despite this, she enjoys a wide variety of music and has multiple playlists, including Indie Mix, a Beyoncé-centric playlist featuring Beyoncé/Britney/Justin Timberlake, an Earth, Wind and Fire Funk Mix, among others.
One song that holds a special place in her heart is Nina Simone's Feeling Good. Another track she finds herself returning to is Beyoncé's Hold Up from the album Lemonade. If allowed, Professor Yuhl would choose Lemonade in its entirety as a song to listen to for the rest of her life. She also finds Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back to be a fun song to groove to.
In her academic courses, Professor Yuhl sometimes starts class time with songs that connect with the daily content. These songs often reflect themes of social movements, gender and sexuality, or historical memory from the US context. Examples include Sam Cooke's Change Gonna Come, Nina Simone's Mississippi Goddam, Gil Scott Heron's The Revolution Will Not be Televised, Phil Ochs' Draft Dodger Blues, and Creedance Clearwater Revival's Fortunate Son.
While specific songs she frequently uses in her courses on Modern US Gender and Sexuality, US Social Movements, The Politics of Historical Memory, 20-century US, etc., are not explicitly listed, it is reasonable to infer that she might use music related to these topics.
Despite not having a current favourite song, Professor Yuhl's preferred music platform is Spotify, where her playlists offer a glimpse into her musical preferences and evolution over time. However, for specific songs she frequently uses in her courses or her pedagogical approach to music, direct sources like her course syllabi, interviews, or university pages would be the best to consult.
- Professor Stephanie Yuhl's musical tastes extend beyond contemporary pop, encompassing genres such as country, indie, funk, and R&B.
- On her Spotify account, Professor Yuhl has curated playlists that reflect her diverse musical preferences, like Indie Mix, a Beyoncé-centric collection, and an Earth, Wind and Fire Funk Mix.
- In her academic courses, Professor Yuhl employs music as a teaching tool, selecting songs that resonate with daily content, often focusing on themes of social movements, gender and sexuality, or historical memory from the US context.
- Examples of songs Professor Yuhl incorporates into her lessons include Sam Cooke's Change Gonna Come, Nina Simone's Mississippi Goddam, and Gil Scott Heron's The Revolution Will Not be Televised.
- Beyond her use of music in the classroom, Professor Yuhl's playlists offer insights into her personal and evolving music preferences, spanning decades and genres.
- For a comprehensive understanding of the specific songs Professor Yuhl frequently uses in her courses or her pedagogical approach to music, consult her course syllabi, interviews, or university pages for more detailed information.
